Sidney Beck

Sidney Beck was born 10 February 1936 in Bertrams, Johannesburg.

He had no formal art training but as a child was fascinated by reproductions of the old masters. Educated in Vrededorp, Beck trained as a teacher, and taught for twenty-three years. Since then he has worked as an artist, mostly as a sculptor.

In 1966 he won The Star Seaside Award for a charcoal drawing of children seeing the sea for the first time. In 1986 The Government erected a Coloured Representative Parliament Building in Cape Town and Beck won the commission to complete a large mural for the building - a singular honour for a Transvaal Artist. This work depicts Coloured People in various walks of life.

As an ex-teacher Sidney Beck was deeply concerned about the lack of opportunity to harness the enormous talent of his people and his earlier work reflected a sadness and frustration. Latterly, however, Beck's sculpture shows a new spirit of optimism. His subjects for his sculptures are taken from township life - street children, jazz players, newspaper sellers and family members involved in everyday but universal pursuits and pleasures.

Beck's work is in many collections in this country and abroad. For the past twenty years he has exhibited at The Everard Read Gallery in group shows.

COMMISSIONS

1979 Full-length figure of Gerald Turner, South African Leading Jockey.

1980 Life size Flute Player, South African Breweries

Portrait bust of Flute Player, South African Breweries

"Men of the Year", 6 full-length figures up to 3 feet in height, for Anglo American Corporation.

1982 Mother and Child, Kokstad Catholic Church

Half life size Miner, Boksburg Catholic Church

1983 Two half life size semi-abstract classical figures bought by The Sandton City Council

1986 Girl Reading a Book, Boksburg City Council Library.

1992 Nine-foot sculpture of Sir Seretsi Khama, Botswana.